Valve for water storage systems



Feb. 15, 1955 L. B. H. HALLETT 2,702,043

VALVE FOR WATER STORAGE SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 7, 1951 United States Patent O M VALVE FOR WATER STORAGE SYSTEMS Louis Bertram Henry Hallett, Handsworth, Birmingham,

England, assignor to Chance Brothers Limited, Smethwick, near Birmingham, England Application February 7, 1951, Serial N 0. 209,864

Claims priority, application Great Britain November 20, 1950 1 Claim. (Cl. 13752.2)

A known type of water storage system comprises a closed tank which is supplied from a submerged electrical- 1y driven pump, the air-pressure in the tank being under the control of a float-actuated venting valve, and the pump being under the control of a switch which is responsive to the air pressure in the tank. When the water reaches a predetermined upper level in the tank, the pressure of the air in the upper part of the tank causes the switch to stop the pump. When the level falls to a predetermined lower level, with corresponding fall of air pressure, the pump is automatically re-started.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved venting valve for use in a system such as that above described.

The invention comprises a valve having in combination therewith two loading springs, and float-actuated means for controlling one of the springs.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a water storage tank of the kind for which the invention is required.

Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of a valve embodying the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the closed tank is represented by a. This is supplied by a submerged driven pump b through a pipe in which is provided a non-return air inlet valve d, and a non-return valve e. The pump motor f is supplied with current through a switch g mounted on and responsive to the air-pressure in the tank. The air-pressure in the tank is controlled by a venting valve h which is operated by a float i. Water is supplied from the tank to a distributing system through a pipe 1'. a

In carrying the invention into eifect as shown in Figure 2, the valve h comprises a susbtantially cylindrical hollow body part adapted to be secured to one side of the tank a at a position above the upper water level in the tank. In this body part is provided an annular seating k for a poppet-type closure member m from the opposite sides of which extend two coaxial stems n, 0. On the stem n is mounted a spring p which at one end abuts against the closure member and which at the other end abuts against a perforated support q secured in the outer end of the body part. On the stem 0 is also mounted a spring r. At one end this spring abuts against the adjacent side of the seating k, or against a shoulder s in the body part which supports the seating. The other end abuts against a collar t which is slidable on the stem. On the inner end of the stem 0 is formed or secured a head it which lies within a hollow thimble v slidable in the inner end of the body part, the closed end of the thimble being perforated to allow air to escape therethrough.

Also on the inner end of the body part is pivotally attached a bell crank lever w. The short arm of this lever abuts against the closed end of the thimble, and the long arm carries a float x.

2,702,043 Patented Feb. 15, 1955 The mode of action of the valve is as follows:

Starting with the pump at rest, and the water in the tank at its upper level, the closure member m is held on its seating by the joint action of both springs p, r and necessitate a predetermined relatively high air pressure in the tank before venting can occur. During Withdrawal of Water from the tank the level falls, and the sinking of the float x causes the thimble v to be pressed inwardly, and, by its action on the collar 2 supporting the spring r, relieves the closure member from the action of this spring, thus enabling the air in the tank to be vented at a corresponding lower pressure. When the air pressure falls suificiently, the switch g closes and re-starts the pump b.

While the pump is at rest the rising main c between the pump and tank is occupied by air which is admitted to the main through the non-return valve d. On restarting the pump this air is delivered to the tank. With the gradual filling of the tank, air may escape through the venting valve h when the pressure is sufiicient to actuate the valve. When the upper level of the Water is approached the float allows the spring r to return into action and so prevent further escape of air. Shortly afterwards the increasing air pressure in the tank causes the switch g to stop the pump. In the event of faulty working, causing the air pressure to rise still further, the valve will open and act as a safety valve.

By this invention the required venting valve is provided in a very simple and convenient form.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

An air venting valve comprising in combination a hollow body part, an annular seating in said body part at a position intermediate the ends thereof, a closure member arranged in said body part to co-operate with one side of said seating for preventing the flow therethrough of air admitted under pressure to said body part at the other side of said seating, a pair of stems extending from opposite sides of said closure member, a first spring mounted on one of said stems and constantly urging said closure member towards said seating, a collar freely slidable on the other stem, a second spring mounted on said other stem and acting on said collar, a head on the outer end of said other stem and serving as an abutment on which said second spring acts through the medium of said collar to supplement the action of said first spring on said closure member, and a thimble which is slidably supported by said body part and through the medium of which said collar is movable away from said head to relieve said closure member from the effect of said second spring, and thereby enable said closure member to be moved away from said seating by a lower pressure of the air admitted to said body part than when the action of said first spring on said closure member is supplemented by said second spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

